Lucky to be alive
The woman who was driving the Nissan and six young children, some of whom were inside and others on the load deck with two dogs, also sustained minor injuries.
The occupants of two vehicles that were involved in an accident on the Queens River Bridge at approximately 16:00 today are lucky to be alive. It was challenging to conclude from the accident scene what had caused the collision. The driver of the Opel Corsa bakkie who was travelling towards Barberton, said the other vehicle, a Nissan double cab, came straight at him. He sustained minor injuries.
The woman who was driving the Nissan and six young children, some of whom were inside and others on the load deck with two dogs, also sustained minor injuries. They were all initially attended to by community members on the scene until Allen Sampson from Barberton EMS and Jan Jansen van Vuuren of Umjindi Fire and Rescue Department arrived. All were taken to hospital.
The two dogs, a Labrador and a Rottweiler, as well as a smaller dog that was apparently inside the cab, were in shock and slightly injured. Veterinarian, Dr Narissa Pienaar from Barberton Veterinary Clinic, was called to the scene. She treated the animals and upon loading the Rottweiler onto the backseat of her bakkie it snapped at her from sheer nervousness and bit her in the face.
The medic on the scene took care of the wound and advised her to get to the hospital for stitches before proceeding to the veterinary clinic.
Barberton Times is awaiting the full SAPS report to learn what had caused the accident. Judging from the wreckage of the two vehicles it is a miracle that no one had been fatally injured.
